Halloween: Taking a year off?

[KimR]

I love Halloween. It is one of my favorite holidays, but to be perfectly honest, I don't like trick-or-treating either. I was always the one to escort the kids and I probably wouldn't mind it except for the fact that it is usually cold and/or raining. Now that my youngest is old enough to go by herself, I can stay home and read a book while DH sits out in the cul-de-sac with the neighbors, drinks beer and hand out candy. So now I love Halloween even more.

And I've always let my teens TOT as long as they are interested. My college age DD even went one year, although I think she and her friends just dressed up and walked around - they might have gone to one or two houses just so they could say they went trick-or-treating.

 

[FireDancer]

I love Halloween but don't really like trick or treating either. I love fall in general but I like going to haunted houses, Halloween parties, the specials on TV, seeing the holiday decorations and stuff like that. I participate in the holiday in ways that don't include handing out candy.

There really aren't any Holidays I hate. I like some better then others but even the religious ones I don't celebrate don't bother me.

I haven't read the entire thread yet but has anyone brought up the mortal sin of adults drinking during trick or treat? I do love the Halloween neo-prohibitionism and arguing about the evils of alcohol. Always a good laugh and eye roll.

 

[Tiramisu]

Hold the phone. When you say that the candy isn't bad, you are excluding those candies in the black and orange wrappers, right?

What even ARE those?!

 

[Janepod]

I haven't read the entire thread yet but has anyone brought up the mortal sin of adults drinking during trick or treat? I do love the Halloween neo-prohibitionism and arguing about the evils of alcohol. Always a good laugh and eye roll.

Evils of alcohol??? Where we trick or treat (not our neighborhood - we're too remote) the homeowners pour glasses of wine for the adults!

 

[LSmith]

.

 

[ReneeA]

Evils of alcohol??? Where we trick or treat (not our neighborhood - we're too remote) the homeowners pour glasses of wine for the adults!

Ah yes. Trick or drink. Many of our neighbors in our sub sit out around the fire pit with adult beverages and candy to hand out. My DH and a neighbor do that while neighbor's wife and I escort kids trick or treating. We always end up with a couple beers, they always end up giving some of ours away. I love Halloween!

 

[mhsjax]

Well if you ever find yourself in Texas for Halloween, feel free to come celebrate with me. That's the exact sort of stuff I like about the holiday. I'll do the downtown festival, grab some dinner, and then watch Charlie Brown. Then, the kiddo goes to bed and I will watch something creepy on television like about the Manson Murders or a Celebrity Ghost Stories marathon.

Sounds great.

 

[WowLookAtThat]

What even ARE those?!

Evil. They are made of pure and sticky evil.

 

[pigletgirl]

Evil. They are made of pure and sticky evil.

Aren't they called cows feet or something?

 

[Robinrs]

I took FIVE years off and plan to take this one off, too! I remember the last time I participated was when Mike was 15 and took the neighborhood kids around because they wanted a BIG kid to take them out.

We moved out of that area and now there are hardly any kids in my area. I think I've had one or two knocks in the past 5 years.

I always have something just in case but so far nothing. I am NOT a Halloween fan so it's okay with me.

 

[Planogirl]

YOu know, in all these years I never thought of it like that. It is actually the trick or treating that I hate.

I love all the crazy paranormal stuff that comes on TV, all the 50 scariest places in the US type stuff, but I hate the trick or treating. The constant door bell, the dog going hysterical, the ugly costumes. Yep that about sums it up for me. I would be quite happy with dinner out a big bowl of chocolate, Charlie Brown and then some haunted castle or light house thing. Maybe a trip to St Augustine for a ghost tour, but I just cannot get into that trick or treating stuff.

OH and could people please leave all those poor black cats alone. God help those poor creatures at Halloween.

I look so forward to those shows every year. We have also gone to so many of the scarier haunted houses that pop up every year and we went to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal last year!

I thought that we were about done with most of that but DS asked me earlier if we planned to visit any haunted houses this year. It's funny but DS doesn't like to do things with his parents any more except Florida trips and haunted houses.

I agree with you about the cats. That is so ridiculous.

 

[Mickeynutty]

I think this year for the first time we are going to hand out candy to the early birds - the kids on our cul de sac that we know - and then turn out the light. We have handed out candy for 20 years. I feel ok with this.

 

[DarthMama]

When I was little, I remember Halloween as being a wonderful holiday. We went all over the neighborhood (*in* costume), neighbors sat out on their steps with big bowls of candy, and nobody over twelve went out unless they were supervising a younger sibling. Now it seems like it's all about teenagers extorting candy in a vaguely threatening way.

I guess we're lucky -- it's still like this in my neighborhood (well, except for last year, when Hurricane Sandy stole Halloween). We get 200 - 250 kids trick-or-treating, mostly under age 12 but some teens too, but 90% wear a costume and 95% say thanks. We do have to buy a LOT of candy to give out since we get a LOT of trick-or-treaters, but it's still so much fun.

(haven't read most of the thread yet so I'm hoping there will be others who still have a nice Halloween)

 

[luvmy3]

Last year was the first year we gave out candy. I was surprised to see 17 and 18 year olds trying to take handfuls. I've decided this year to have two different bowls, one for the younger kids and another for teens. If the teen bowl is gone then there will be no more.

So if you answer the door with a bowl in your hand and its a couple teens you are going to tell them they can't have any candy

 

[mhsjax]

So if you answer the door with a bowl in your hand and its a couple teens you are going to tell them they can't have any candy

Well I guess teen need to learn not to TAKE HANDFULS. Funny but every one is on board with punishing a whole teen for misbehavior, but not at Halloween. Sorry but these teens are the ones who ruin it for the good teens out there, and there are a lot of greedy rude teens out there.

 

[mom2rtk]

Well I guess teen need to learn not to TAKE HANDFULS. Funny but every one is on board with punishing a whole teen for misbehavior, but not at Halloween. Sorry but these teens are the ones who ruin it for the good teens out there, and there are a lot of greedy rude teens out there.

But that would be punishing the kids that come AFTER the ones that supposedly took the handfuls. What does that accomplish?

I don't let anyone put their hand in our candy bowl. It's just a recipe for disaster. We buy the nice mini-candy bars, between 10 and 15 bags. I open one kind at a time and put one candy bar in each bag, regardless of age. No need for any altercations with greedy trick or treaters.

 

[bwhitlatch81]

We're in a new neighborhood this year but will be taking dd2 to my moms to trick or treat, since it's a smaller and easier neighborhood to walk. My niece and her friend may come also (they're 12). May or May not leave a bowl out here;we'll see. Regardless there are set times to trick or treat in both neighborhoods; 530-8pm. There's a pizza party at the clubhouse first the everyone sets off. After 8 everyone shuts off their lights and that's it. Might be one or two stragglers but no more than that

 

[luvmy3]

Well I guess teen need to learn not to TAKE HANDFULS. Funny but every one is on board with punishing a whole teen for misbehavior, but not at Halloween. Sorry but these teens are the ones who ruin it for the good teens out there, and there are a lot of greedy rude teens out there.

In the case of the pp, I'd say maybe she's being the greedy rude one. I mean really, because some teens grab handfuls of candy she is going to make seperate bowls and turn away kids (i.e teens) because she wasn't prepared with enough candy or she was to lazy to hand the candy out herself and she let some teens grab handfuls. And FTR, a just like some teens do, some kids are going to do the same thing if you let them grab their own. It has nothing to do with age, its about manners.
Here's an idea, spend the $5 and buy a couple extra bags of candy, pour them into one big bowl and throw a couple candy bars into each kid's bag. Problem solved.
Its Halloween for goodness sake, not Christmas, no need to be a Scrooge.

 

[thankudrivethru]

Halloween is a holiday like any other holiday. Anyone, any age can and should enjoy it. In my world there is no limit to how old you are to trick or treat. It's all about the fun of it and it's not just for the little ones.



What does booze have to do with Halloween? I don't believe i have ever seen a 9 year old " boozing" it up trick or treating from house to house. Foodies love candy too btw.

And about Christmas, i am sorry but i guess i am one of those people that love Halloween more the Christmas

the point is that no matter what age you are: 17 or 19 or 20 or 35 if you want to trick or treat and partake in the fun times of it all so be it! It's a matter of preference.

Read your last line and apply that to me. I am so tired of explaining my reasons, not that I have to. I have stated repeatedly that I know others enjoy it and that is fine. I do not.


As far as the "boozing it up" I suggest you read the entire thread and you will see what I am talking about, I am in no way saying that little kids do this. God Talk about beating my head up against a brick wall.

no.. you said kids, i had qouted the qoute before in the last page..see it below also..

 

[thankudrivethru]

scratch that i re-quoted it below...

OH and why is it either or, Kids around here don't have to get candy in order to stay out of trouble. So I guess where most of you are, kids who trick or treat are boozing it up? Sad. YOu don't have to do either. Oh and I bet plenty of them booze it up before or after if they are that type of kid, the candy has nothing to do with it.

Have fun this Halloween, obviously you love it and that is fine, it is also fine that I HATE it.

ETA: For me personally, As an adult I think think of many easy to have more fun that don't include dressing up and asking for candy. I prefer a nice dinner at a wonderful restaurant or some shopping. My kids would also much prefer a dinner out at a nice restaurant with real food and not candy. What can I say, they are foodies.

so when you said kids, you really meant teens? because I was thinking like 14 and under when you said kids either way none should be and would be boozing it up..and trick or treating isn't about staying out of trouble